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Productivity · head to head

Alfred vs Remember The Milk

Alfred logo

Alfred

Productivity

Mac launcher and automation tool sold as a one-time Powerpack licence rather than a subscription

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Remember The Milk logo

Remember The Milk

Productivity

The smart to-do app for busy people

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Alfred there is no official built in AI assistant, so anything AI related depends on a community workflow calling an external API key you supply yourself.; Remember The Milk interface looks dated compared to modern task managers
  • They diverge on capability: Alfred covers Workflows, Remember The Milk covers Smart lists.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Alfred and Remember The Milk actually diverge.

Attributes where Alfred and Remember The Milk differ
AttributeAlfredRemember The Milk
Pricing modelOne-time purchaseUnknown
PlatformsMacWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
FoundedUnknown2004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Alfred

  • Workflows
  • Clipboard history
  • Snippets
  • File actions
  • Universal actions
  • Theming

Only in Remember The Milk

  • Smart lists
  • Location reminders
  • Task sharing
  • Advanced search
  • Subtasks
  • Google Calendar
  • Outlook
  • Evernote

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Alfred

  • A developer who wants to trigger scripts, run shell commands and search files from one hotkey without a subscriptionnot Remember The Milk
  • A writer who wants text snippets and clipboard history and does not want built in AInot Remember The Milk
  • A long time Alfred user with a large personal library of custom workflows built up over yearsnot Remember The Milk
  • A user who prefers paying once per major version over a recurring monthly chargenot Remember The Milk

Remember The Milk

  • Schedulingnot Alfred
  • Appointment bookingnot Alfred
  • Time trackingnot Alfred
  • Resource managementnot Alfred
  • Team coordinationnot Alfred

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Alfred

  • There is no official built in AI assistant, so anything AI related depends on a community workflow calling an external API key you supply yourself.
  • The workflow format is older XML and script filters, which is less approachable for a beginner than a modern extension store with typed APIs.
  • It is Mac only, so a user who splits time between Mac and Windows needs a second tool on the other machine.
  • The free tier is quite limited, with no workflows or clipboard history, so most serious users end up paying for the Powerpack anyway.
  • Because upgrades to a new major version are a separate purchase for Single Licence holders, users who skip the Mega Supporter tier can face a further one-time charge every few years.

Remember The Milk

  • Interface looks dated compared to modern task managers
  • Limited mobile app features compared to desktop version
  • No advanced project management features like Gantt charts or timeline views

Pricing, plan by plan

Alfred

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic app and file launching
    • Web searches and system commands
    • No workflows or clipboard history
  • Powerpack Single Licence$34/one-time
    • 1 user on up to 2 Macs
    • Workflows, clipboard history and snippets
    • Free updates within the same major version
  • Powerpack Mega Supporter$59/one-time
    • 1 user on up to 4 Macs
    • Free upgrades to all future major versions
    • Early access to betas

Remember The Milk

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Task creation and organization
    • Basic reminders
    • List sharing
  • Pro$39.99/year
    • All free features
    • Advanced sorting
    • Attachments

Which should you pick?

Choose Alfred if

  • You need workflows.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want clipboard history.
Alfred review

Choose Remember The Milk if

  • You need smart lists.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want location reminders.
Remember The Milk review

Questions people ask

Is Alfred or Remember The Milk better?
Neither clearly leads. Alfred starts at Free and Remember The Milk at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Alfred or Remember The Milk?
Alfred starts at Free and Remember The Milk at Free.
Does Alfred or Remember The Milk run on more platforms?
Alfred runs on Mac. Remember The Milk runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Alfred for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Alfred best used for?
Alfred is most often used for a developer who wants to trigger scripts, run shell commands and search files from one hotkey without a subscription, a writer who wants text snippets and clipboard history and does not want built in ai, a long time alfred user with a large personal library of custom workflows built up over years, a user who prefers paying once per major version over a recurring monthly charge. Of those, a developer who wants to trigger scripts, run shell commands and search files from one hotkey without a subscription and a writer who wants text snippets and clipboard history and does not want built in ai are not what Remember The Milk is typically brought in for.
What can Alfred do that Remember The Milk cannot?
Alfred covers Workflows, Clipboard history, Snippets, File actions. Remember The Milk covers Smart lists, Location reminders, Task sharing, Advanced search.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Alfred: Is Alfred a subscription?

No. The Powerpack is a one-time purchase per major version, or a one-time Mega Supporter purchase that includes all future major version upgrades.

Remember The Milk: Is there a free version of Remember The Milk?

Yes. Remember The Milk is free to download and use with core features like task creation, lists, reminders, and basic sharing. A Pro subscription at $39.99 annually unlocks advanced features like advanced sorting, attachments, and Apple Watch support.

Source
Alfred: Does Alfred replace Spotlight?

It can. Alfred can take over the system-wide hotkey and generally returns results faster with more configurable behaviour than Spotlight.

Remember The Milk: What devices and platforms does Remember The Milk support?

Remember The Milk is available across desktop, mobile, web, and wearable platforms with native applications, ensuring tasks remain synchronized across all devices.

Source
Alfred: Does Alfred have AI features?

Not officially built in. Some community workflows add AI chat or completion by calling an external API with a key you provide.

Remember The Milk: Can I share tasks with others in Remember The Milk?

Yes, Remember The Milk allows you to share lists and assign tasks to others to coordinate work and get things done faster.

Source
Remember The Milk: Does Remember The Milk integrate with other apps?

Yes, Remember The Milk integrates natively with Gmail, Google Calendar, Evernote, and Zapier, allowing you to capture tasks from multiple sources.

Source
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